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Council tax when occupying two properties?

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Jaffapig
Jaffapig Posts: 79 Forumite
in House buying, renting & selling
Hi, I hope this is the right board for this Q.

A quick one - what are the rules for paying council tax when you are occupying two properties at the same time (within the same council)?

Basically I may have up to a two month overlap between handing the keys back on my rental property and moving into the house I'm purchasing. Not sure what to budget for council tax.

Will I need to pay tax on both properties?
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  • Cakeguts
    Cakeguts Posts: 7,627 Forumite
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    Your not occupying two properties at the same time you are only going to be occupying one. It is no different to someone who owns two houses in the same borough you pay council tax on both of them.
  • Slithery
    Slithery Posts: 6,046 Forumite
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    Also if you're claiming single-person discount you will only get this for one of the properties - the other will be full price.
  • Jaffapig
    Jaffapig Posts: 79 Forumite
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    Ok thanks both that answers that! No discounts to take advantage of unfortunately.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    You may find the opposite.

    Some councils charge extra for a 2nd home.
    There again,some allow a discount for an 'empty' property (check definition of empty).


    Check your council's website - it should explain.
  • Jaffapig
    Jaffapig Posts: 79 Forumite
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    G_M wrote: »
    Some councils charge extra for a 2nd home

    :eek: oh gosh!

    Ok will do, thank you.
  • Jaffapig
    Jaffapig Posts: 79 Forumite
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    Oh turns out we can get an exemption if the property is unfurnished, which one of the properties will be at any one time :)
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    Jaffapig wrote: »
    Oh turns out we can get an exemption if the property is unfurnished, which one of the properties will be at any one time :)


    Are you in England, Wales or Scotland ?
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    In respect of the council tax premium on an empty property it can only apply where it's been empty 12 months or more (Scotland and Wales) or 24 months in England so unless the property was already empty for a period before you took the tenancy then there won't a premium.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • saajan_12
    saajan_12 Posts: 3,621 Forumite
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    Taking each property individually, you are liable for any & all council tax while you own / rent it.

    However, there may be discounts e.g. if a property is empty & substantially unfurnished. Be careful as these discounts are often time limited, and eventually can go from a discount to a premium.

    So the bill may be £0 for some / all of the overlap, but if there's any CT due then you will be liable, it doesn't revert to anyone else (unless you're in a special case of SPT on the rental, then it reverts to the landlord once you move out).
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    Basically I may have up to a two month overlap between handing the keys back on my rental property and moving into the house I'm purchasing. Not sure what to budget for council tax.
    What will be the position regarding the tenancy at the point you leave - will it still be within the fixed period or will the fixed period have already expired ? If the fixed term will have expired by the date you vacate will the tenancy roll on under a contractual term or will it have defaulted to a statutory periodic tenancy ?
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
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